Dictionary
A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
IMPERFECTION, NEGATIVE
A lack of greater perfection in a human act, due to a variety of causes but not consciously willed by a person. Thus, to give a poor person alms is a morally good act. Giving that person more than one actually had given would ordinarily be a greater perfection; hence the alms, in themselves, may be considered negatively imperfect. Negative imperfections are not sinful because they are not voluntary.
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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